COLUMN - Depth will lift Lakers

Friday

Nov 28, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 28, 2008 at 6:50 AM

They’ll be big. They’ll be talented. They’ll be facing a Grand Valley State University football team minus its most dangerous running back.

Players from unbeaten and sixth-ranked Minnesota-Duluth still haven’t seen anything like the Lakers, the No. 1 team in the NCAA Division II coaches poll and Saturday’s opponent in the national quarterfinals.

It’s moments like these where GVSU’s depth shines.

ALAN BABBITT

They’ll be big. They’ll be talented. They’ll be facing a Grand Valley State University football team minus its most dangerous running back.

Players from unbeaten and sixth-ranked Minnesota-Duluth still haven’t seen anything like the Lakers, the No. 1 team in the NCAA Division II coaches poll and Saturday’s opponent in the national quarterfinals.

Grand Valley coach Chuck Martin has done a superb job of stockpiling the talent that keeps the Lakers among the elite teams in the nation, even when injuries or other issues sideline key players.

Some questioned whether Martin would be able to do that when he took over. They figured former coach Brian Kelly had that magical recruiting touch.

Martin hasn’t skipped a beat.

As it was for Kelly, selling GVSU is easy — athletically and academically. Players love to win games and championships, and there’s been no better place in Division II the last decade to do that than Grand Valley.

The lure of national championships is why the Lakers land some players who easily could be at the Division I level.

A deep and versatile roster is helpful right now for GVSU.

Running back Jimmy Berezik won’t play because he’s suspended indefinitely following his arrest last weekend for resisting/opposing arrest and being a minor in possession of alcohol. Hours earlier, he set a team playoff record with 207 yards rushing in a second-round rout of Ashland (Ohio) University.

Fortunately for the Lakers, they can turn to the speedy Blake Smolen if needed in the backfield. He’s a threat whether he lines up at receiver or running back.

P.T. Gates, a transfer, is as capable of breaking into the open as Berezik or Smolen. Gates’ playing time has been limited due to injury, but he should be healthy enough to play against Minnesota-Duluth.

Another good omen for the Lakers is that their offensive line is as healthy as can be expected for this time of the year. Their tight ends are banged up, but they still can block effectively and create the necessary running lanes.

GVSU’s swift running backs don’t need much of a crease for a big gain. Throw in the unheralded blocking of wide receiver Cameron Bradford from San Jose, Calif., and you have the ingredients for a potent ground game.

My pick: Grand Valley 30, Minnesota-Duluth 21. Someone will make the first downs and touchdowns the Lakers need to march into the national semifinals.